Community Action Ending Poverty:
VISION VISION VISION VISION ���� VOICES VOICES VOICES VOICES ���� VOTING VOTING VOTING VOTING
Minnesota Community Action Partnership 2006 Conference2006 Conference2006 Conference2006 Conference
September 24-27, 2006
Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge, Deerwood, MN
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Community Action Ending Poverty: VISION VISION VISION VISION ���� VOICES VOICES VOICES VOICES ���� VOTING VOTING VOTING VOTING
Table of Contents
Welcome letter from Conference Planning Committee Chair 5
Conference At-a-Glance 6-7
Conference Descriptions
Monday Schedule 8-12
Tuesday Schedule 13-15
Wednesday Schedule 16-18
Map of Ruttger’s Lodge & Conference Areas 19
Map of Ruttger’s Resort 20-21
Minnesota Community Action Partnership 2006 Conference2006 Conference2006 Conference2006 Conference
September 25-27, 2006 Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge, Deerwood, MN
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“HOST” ribbon on their nametag or “HOST” ribbon on their nametag or “HOST” ribbon on their nametag or “HOST” ribbon on their nametag or
ask someone at the Registration table.ask someone at the Registration table.ask someone at the Registration table.ask someone at the Registration table.
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Welcome! On behalf of the Conference Planning Committee, let me welcome you to the 2006 Minnesota Community Action Partnership Annual Conference! We are very pleased to have organized this year’s conference under the theme of “Community Action Ending Poverty: Vision � Voices � Voting.” Given the magnitude of this year’s election, we felt it appropriate to emphasize Community Action’s power to end poverty through our voices and votes. There are numerous workshops being offered under the themes of poverty, voter engagement, and building capacity within our agencies and communities to promote change. We have also organized workshops that will assist the internal operations of your agencies, including recruiting and orienting new staff, how to get rid of stress, board development, and eVisions. Bob Worner, former Director of Habitat for Humanity will kick off the conference with a motivational speech entitled, “Visionaries”. Later, David Bradley, Executive Director for the National Community Action Foundation, will address the conference as the Keynote speaker for the Awards Banquet. Mr. Bradley will also help set the stage for our Legislative General Session Tuesday Morning. We are honored to be hosting a candidates’ forum for the Secretary of State race. The Secretary of State is the chief election official, and we want to make sure the candidates are thinking about the enfranchisement of Community Action communities. Finally, we have scheduled plenty of free-time for everyone to enjoy being at the beautiful Ruttger’s resort and two social times for people to meet with old friends and make new ones. We have put a lot of thought into this year’s activities, and I hope you not only benefit from the trainings, but also enjoy yourself. Sincerely, Cherie Hanson Conference Planning Committee Chair
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Community Action Ending PCommunity Action Ending PCommunity Action Ending PCommunity Action Ending Poverty: overty: overty: overty: VISION VISION VISION VISION ���� VOICES VOICES VOICES VOICES ���� VOTING VOTING VOTING VOTING 2006 Minnesota Community Action Partnership Conference
At-a-Glance
Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Rooms 4 & 5 Room 7
Monday, September 25 (Registration will be open in Lobby from 7:30am-7:00pm)
7:00-8:00am
9:30-10:00am
Pledge of Allegiance - Dave Adams, OEO Welcome – Mike Thorsteinson, MinnCAP Board Chair – Jim Huber, DHS Director of Community Partnerships
10:00-10:30am
Conference Kick Off “Visionaries” – Bob Worner, Former Director of Habitat for Humanity
10:30-10:45am
10:45am-12:00pm
Immigration Past, Present & Future –an Overview of Immigration Policy and law in the US and MN
John Keller, JD, Immigration Law Center
Circles of Support Part I: Circles 101 Scott Miller & Eileen Wallace, Move the Mountain
Fighting Voter Apathy through Community Engagement Paula Fynboh, Grassroots Solutions & Nancy Pomplun, MinnCAP
The A.R.T. of Board Governance: Part I. Bylaws & Compliance Issues Pam Pullman, Personnel and Management Company
Open Visions – IROC / UROC Mike Lieser, CA of Mpls & Steve Long, MinnCAP
12:00-1:00pm
1:00-2:15pm
Refugees in Minnesota Gus Avenido, MN DHS
Circles of Support Part II: Circles 201 Scott Miller & Eileen Wallace, Move the Mountain
Promoting Change through Telling Your Story Paula Fynboh, Grassroots Solutions & Nancy Pomplun, MinnCAP
The A.R.T. of Board Governance: Part II. Fiscal Fact& Findings Pam Pullman, Personnel and Management Company
2:15-2:30pm
2:30-3:45pm
A Minnesota Without Poverty Mark Rogosheske, MN House of Representatives
Circles of Support
Part III: Circles
Minnesota
Campaign Scott Miller & Eileen Wallace, Move the Mountain
Professional Boundaries Debi Brandt & Lori Raiber. Heartland CAA
The A.R.T. of Board Governance: Part III. Personnel vs. Personal Pam Pullman, Personnel and Management Company
3:45-6:00pm
(Continued)
Open Visions – IROC / UROC Mike Lieser, CA of Mpls & Steve Long, MinnCAP
6:00-6:30pm
Reception & Cash Bar
6:30pm Dinner & Awards Banquet Keynote: David Bradley, Executive Director National Community
Action Foundation
Breakfast in Ruby’s Dining Room
Picnic Lunch on West Lawn
Break in Mezzanine
Break in Mezzanine
Free Time
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Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Rooms 4 & 5 Room 7
Tuesday, September 26 (Registration will be open in Lobby from 7:30am-7:00pm)
7:00-8:15am
8:30-10:00am
Legislative General Session Joe Pederson, Leg. Committee Chair
10:00-10:30am
10:30am-12:00pm
Secretary of State Candid. Forum Moderator: Karen Christofferson, LWV
12:00-1:00pm
1:00-2:15pm
Covering All Families – Eligibi-lity Screening Tool Ryan Johnson & Elaine Cunningham, Children’s Def. Fund
Stress - Get Rid of It Francie Mathes, OEO
New Connections for Community Action with Food Support Tikki Brown, OEO
Class, Income & Poverty Jim Carrier, Western Community Action
2:15-2:30pm
2:30-3:45pm
DHS Homeless Programs Review
Janel Bush, Duane Elg, Jane Lawrenz of MN DHS Moderated by Pat Leary, OEO
None of Our Business: A Comprehensive Approach to the Impact of Domestic Violence on the Workplace Debra Schroeder, Anna Marie’s Alliance
eVISIONS Steve Long & Arnie Anderson, MinnCAP
Tapping into the College as a Community Asset Lydia Bohn & Jim Scheibel, CA Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties
3:45-5:00pm
5:00-5:30pm
5:30 BBQ Dinner PAL Fund Auction - Auctioneer, Bill Fitzsimmons
Wednesday, September 27
7:00-8:30am
8:30-9:45am
FAIM Express Jan Backlin, ACCAP, and Kate Ouverson, CarolBoyer & Steve Nagle, WCMCA
Retirement 101 Pat McFarland, ACCAP
Do’s & Don’ts of Voting for 501(c)3s Jo Ann Tesar, CA Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties& Nancy Pomplun, MinnCAP
Challenge of Non-Profit Talent Shortage: Where Have All the Good Employees Gone? Phil Schechter, SPHR, Schechter & Associates
9:45-10:15am
10:15-11:30am
Financial Education = Economic Empowerment Jan Backlin, ACCAP & Kate Ouverson, WCMCA
How to get next year’s money: CA & ROMA
Francie Mathes & Connie Greer, OEO
Mobilizing New Americans and English Language Learners (ELL) TBA
Giving Employees the RIGHT Star Karen Schechter, SPHR, Schechter & Associates
11:30am-12:00pm
PAL Breakfast – Open to current and future PAL Members in New Log Dining Rm (Ruby’s Dining Room will also be available for breakfast)
Citizens of Election Integrity Minnesota is tabling in the Mezzanine
Break in Mezzanine
Lunch Buffet in Ruby’s Dining Room
Break in Mezzanine
Free Time
Social Hour & Cash Bar on the West Deck & Lawn
Breakfast in Ruby’s Dining Room
Break in Mezzanine
Closing Luncheon & Raffle in Ruby’s Dining Room (Ruby’s Dining Room will also be available past 12noon)
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Community Action Ending PovertyCommunity Action Ending PovertyCommunity Action Ending PovertyCommunity Action Ending Poverty: : : : VIVIVIVISION SION SION SION ���� VOICES VOICES VOICES VOICES ���� VOTING VOTING VOTING VOTING 2006 Minnesota Community Action Partnership Conference
Monday 9:30-10:30am
Conference Kick Off Rooms 1 & 2
Pledge of Allegiance, Dave Adams, OEO Welcome, Mike Thorsteinson, MinnCAP Board Chair and Jim Huber, DHS Director of Community Partnerships Kick-off Speaker - Bob Worner, Former Director of Habitat for Humanity
“Visionaries” – a recognition of Community Action’s work to end poverty and thoughts on the conference theme.
Ongoing Session (excluding lunch) - Monday 10:30am-6:00pm
Open Visions – IROC/UROC Monday, September 25, 10:30am-6:00pm in Room 7
This session will be “OPEN” and unstructured. Spend the day with Steve and Mike asking questions about Visions, ask anything, anything ranging from Information, who, what, when, why, to System/Program (Agency) setup, “how to”. We will have a couple laptops setup for use. For those of you asking “how to”, and are interested in setting your System/Programs (Agency), we are inviting you to bring your own laptop (wireless required) and we’ll work with you “Hands On” on your Visions project/setup. Our intent is to inform and train.
We will work thru Breaks, but be unavailable during lunch.
Glossary: CAMIS - Community Action Management Information Systems. Basically a Technology Users Group for Community Actions
IROC – Information Referral Outcomes Collaboration UROC – You Rock
Trainers: Mike Lieser, Manager of Information Technology, CAMIS Representative and Steve Long, State Wide System Administrator.
Concurrent Sessions - Monday 10:45am-12:00pm
Immigration Past, Present & Future –an Overview of Immigration Policy and law in the US and MN John C Keller, JD, Immigration Law Center - Room 1
This workshop will cover Immigration 101:
• Brief history of immigration to U.S.
• Immigrants in MN – who are they, how did they get here
• Broad overview of how immigration works and doesn’t work currently. Also covered will be pending legislation, including MN state proposals, House Bill 12/2005, and Senate Bill 05/2006.
Trainer: John C. Keller, JD - Immigrant Law Center.1992 B.A. Latin American Studies; Spanish, U of MN. 1996 J.D., Hamline School of Law. Judicial Law Clerk, MN Court of Appeals 1997-1998. Staff attorney at Immigrant Law Center of MN (ILCM)/Oficina Legal 1998 to 2005. Executive Director and Supervising Attorney of ILCM since 2005. Adjunct Professor at University of Minnesota Immigration Clinic 2004-06.
Circles of Support: Part I. Circles 101 Scott Miller and Eileen Wallace, Move the Mountain - Room 2
This workshop will provide a general overview of the Circles of Support model, and local community members are engaged to end poverty in their city or region. Circles practitioners from six Community Action Agencies will be joined by program participants and their “allies” who will provide personal accounts about the powerful impact that Circles has had on their personal lives. Move the Mountain staff
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will provide a brief context for the Minnesota model, and how it fits into a national effort engaging 10 other states beginning to employ the Circles model.
Trainer: Scott Miller is the CEO of Move the Mountain, a nonprofit started in 1992 with the mission of inspiring and equipping communities to end poverty. Scott began his work with poverty as a volunteer for the Catholic Worker in Rochester, NY during the late 70's. He later worked for Catholic Charities where he developed a statewide association to establish local emergency assistance networks and family development programs in Ohio with funding from several foundations and United Ways. In 1992 Scott moved to Iowa to join Mid-Iowa Community Action and begin Move the Mountain with funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. He co-founded Beyond Welfare in Ames, Iowa, which tested the first Circles initiative. Currently, more than 40 communities across the country are developing Circle initiatives to help people out of poverty while raising community awareness and commitment to end poverty.
Trainer: Eileen Wallace has spent her career in human services working with marginalized people and families with low-incomes. For 24 years she worked in community action, 10 years as the executive director of Heartland Community Action Agency in Willmar, MN where she led the agency through the transformational planning process. Currently, a senior partner with Move the Mountain Leadership Center, Eileen works with community action and other community and faith based organizations on transformational leadership and planning, developing high impact strategies to end poverty, the Circles Campaign, and executive coaching. For more than 15 years, Eileen has been a trainer and speaker on poverty, family development, and social justice issues. Eileen has a B.S. in Business Administration and acts out her personal commitment to a more just world through work in her faith community.
Fighting Voter Apathy through Community Engagement Paula Fynboh, Grassroots Solutions and Nancy Pomplun, MinnCAP - Room 3
It’s easy to come up with reasons why people don’t vote, but why should people vote? This workshop will help you identify your strengths in Getting Out the Vote, and send you back to your agency with an action plan of easy activities to increase voter turnout within your agency and among program participants.
Trainer: Paula Fynboh is a Project Manager for grassroots solutions, a national consulting firm that specializes in grassroots advocacy and organizing, political field consulting, targeting, and training. Prior to joining grassroots solutions in 2004, Paula served for three years as the advocacy director at the American Cancer Society, focusing on issues affecting medically underserved communities. Paula has also championed health care issues as a lobbyist for MN COAcT. Additionally, she has worked with the Affirmative Options Coalition on anti-poverty organizing, and served for one year as the Executive Director for the Phillips West Neighborhood. Paula currently sits on the board for NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota.
Trainer: Nancy Pomplun is the Community Network Coordinator for Minnesota Community Action Partnership (MinnCAP). She has come to MinnCAP with organizing experiences in numerous issues including neighborhood safety, youth programs, health issues, living wages, and childcare. Additionally, she has been involved with various initiatives promoting diversity and cultural competency within the health field.
The A.R.T. of Board Governance: Accountability, Responsibility and Teamwork Part I. Bylaws & Compliance Issues Pam Pullman, Personnel and Management Company - Rooms 4 & 5
This workshop will highlight board member roles, rights, and responsibilities and the importance of bylaws, suggestions for policies including confidentiality, media, and conflict of interest. Other topics will include, but will not be limited to the role of committees, job descriptions for officers, suggestions for board recruitment and selection, and a sample outline for corporate bylaws.
Trainer: Pam Pullman’s leadership and management work experience includes 16 years in the St. Louis County Community Action Agency, with ten years as the Executive Director. Pam has over eighteen years of human resources consulting experience, with a focus on nonprofit board governance,
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management and supervision, strategic planning, coaching and organizational capacity building. Her clients include HHS, Office of Community Services, the Community Action Partnership, United Way, the Enterprise Foundation, the US Postal Service, and many agencies in the network of over 1,000+ Community Action Agencies and 2,000+ Head Start programs nationwide. PAM holds a bachelor's degree and JD (Law) degree from St. Louis University. She has past teaching experience (business law) in the graduate programs at the University of Missouri, Washington University School of Business and the St. Louis Community College District. Since 1987, Pam has conducted over 500+ workshops reaching over 50,000 participants and has traveled over 750,000 airplane miles throughout the US & Hawaii. Website: http://www.pampullman.com Phone: 800.730.2PAM(726)/Cell: 314.602.2PAM(726) Email: [email protected]
Concurrent Sessions - Monday 1:00-2:15pm
Refugees in Minnesota Gus Avenido, MN DHS - Room 1
Gus will discuss refugees and immigrants in Minnesota. He is also a leader in planning for Avian Flu and will share current information.
Trainer: Gus Avenido is the manager for Refugee Programs at the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Circles of Support: Part II. Circles 201 Scott Miller and Eileen Wallace, Move the Mountain - Room 2
Learn more about the “nuts and bolts” of designing and implementing an effective Circles initiative. Based on lessons learned from communities that have been testing Circles, this workshop will provide you with a deeper level of understanding of what works, and what does not work. Hear directly from program participants, their allies and Minnesota Community Action Agency practitioners engaged in this work.
Trainer: Scott Miller is the CEO of Move the Mountain, a nonprofit started in 1992 with the mission of inspiring and equipping communities to end poverty.
Trainer: Eileen Wallace has spent her career in human services working with marginalized people and families with low-incomes.
Promoting Change through Telling Your Story Paula Fynboh, Grassroots Solutions & Nancy Pomplun, MinnCAP - Room 3
When you explain your work to your friends, do you share the data that supports your work, or do you share a story that exemplifies why you do the work you do? Our elected officials are people just like our friends, and they respond better to stories than numbers as well. This workshop will give you hints on how you and your program participants can use personal stories to promote change.
Trainer: Paula Fynboh is a Project Manager for grassroots solutions, a national consulting firm that specializes in grassroots advocacy and organizing, political field consulting, targeting, and training.
Trainer: Nancy Pomplun is the Community Network Coordinator for Minnesota Community Action Partnership (MinnCAP).
The A.R.T. of Board Governance: Part II. Fiscal Fact & Findings Pam Pullman, Personnel and Management Company - Rooms 4 &5
Board fiduciary responsibilities are indeed a priority for community action agencies. Topics will include suggestions for monitoring agency fiscal operations without micro-managing, understanding Duty of Loyalty, Duty of Care & Obedience, agency audits and management letters, and Officers’ & Director’s liability insurance, agency audits and more.
Trainer: Pam Pullman’s leadership and management work experience includes 16 years in the St. Louis County Community Action Agency, with ten years as the Executive Director.
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Concurrent Sessions - Monday 2:30-3:45pm
A Minnesota Without Poverty Mark Rogosheske, MN House of Representatives Room 1
A short history of the Ending Poverty Initiative. An explanation of what we are doing today. A discussion of the climate of change for Ending Poverty and a short break-out of small groups to discuss questions on our 2006 Public Policy Assessment Tool. A question and answer period at the end of the workshop.
Trainer: Mark Rogosheske has worked for the Minnesota House of Representatives for 35+ years in various capacities. He began as a Page and has gone on to become an Administrative Assistant, which covers many areas. He was the facilities manager for many years, which required the flexibility of purchasing most items and managing the use of the House space. Most recently, he has been responsible for the production of the printing for the House. During this time Mark has also been an active member of his church. He has served as Treasurer, V.P., President and participant in other projects and committees. At the present time he is serving on the Evangelism Committee and a special committee to increase community involvement. He is also serving as the chair of the St. Paul Area Synod's Cluster Organizing Team for the Ending Poverty Initiative.
Circles of Support: Part III. Circles Minnesota Campaign Scott Miller and Eileen Wallace, Move the Mountain - Room 2
Workshop participants will learn about “next steps” in the planning process for anyone considering being part of the Circles MN-USA Campaign. Learn more details about what Move the Mountain and other Community Action Agencies are doing to prepare for a national campaign to join 1000 families as they work to leave poverty permanently. Participate in a brainstorming session on how these stories can be told effectively to members of the Minnesota media, local and state officials, and project funders.
Trainer: Scott Miller is the CEO of Move the Mountain, a nonprofit started in 1992 with the mission of inspiring and equipping communities to end poverty.
Trainer: Eileen Wallace has spent her career in human services working with marginalized people and families with low-incomes.
Professional Boundaries Debi Brandt and Lori Raiber. Heartland CAA - Room 3
Topics will include defining professional boundaries, expectations from agencies, the importance of adhering and impact on you and your agency, and how to apply boundaries in the workplace. Participants will have the opportunity to practice in groups with different scenarios.
Trainer: Lori Raiber, LSW, Housing and Planning Director for Heartland Community Action Agency, Inc. Lori has over 10 years experience working with family development topics including Certified Family Service Credential Trainer.
Trainer: Debi Brandt, Community Relations Director, has over 20 years experience with Community Action. Debi oversees various family development and outreach programs.
The A.R.T. of Board Governance: Part III. Personnel vs. Personal Pam Pullman, Personnel and Management Company - Rooms 4 & 5
The Board’s role in personnel matters will address reasons for following your own personnel policies, why you should NOT hold ‘secret meetings’ with staff but rather strengthen your partnership with the Executive Director. Tips for effective communications regarding adverse personnel actions, and suggestions for monitoring and evaluating the Executive Director – and allowing the Executive Director to manage the organization.
Trainer: Pam Pullman’s leadership and management work experience includes 16 years in the St. Louis County Community Action Agency, with ten years as the Executive Director.
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Monday 6:30pm
Awards Banquet and Dinner Rooms 1, 2, & 3
Keynote Speaker – David Bradley, Executive Director National Community Action Foundation
Rarely has one individual had more impact on the fortunes of one program than David Bradley has on the nation’s 1100 community action agencies. For nearly three decades David Bradley has been recognized as one of Washington’s leading advocates for low-income programs. David has worked with federal government representatives, members of Congress, congressional staff and key White House personnel to develop national policies dealing with low-income needs and related regulations and guidelines. David has served as a member on a number of advisory boards and commissions.
Since 1981, David has served as Executive Director of the National Community Action Foundation (NCAF) which he helped found in 1981. NCAF is a private, non-profit advocacy organization that interacts with Congress, the Executive Branch, state and local governments and local agencies on behalf of a variety of low-income programs.
David is the principle author of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). This three quarter of a billion dollar program provides the core funding to the nation’s community action agency (CAA) network. It is the essential funding which enables CAAs to leverage almost nine billion dollars in other federal, state, local and private resources. He wrote a major portion of the McKinney Act, which provides homelessness assistance to a wide variety of social service agencies.
He helped found and fund CAP LAW which provides a legal support system to this anti-poverty network and is widely credited with increasing the effectiveness of all partners, federal, state and local in the Community Services Block Grant network. David established CAP-PAC, the Community Action Program Political Action Committee. This allows community action programs to participate in a sophisticated manner in the political process. Recently David helped create CAP Fund which is the first venture capital fund to be established to assist CAAs in their economic development activities.
David’s most recent activities have been to meet with members of Congress and representatives of other countries who are interested in establishing a community action program in their countries. Libya, Russia and a number of Eastern Europeans countries have all expressed interest in having David help design a social service system that will empower low-income individuals seeking a way out of poverty.
David has a Bachelors and Masters degree from George Washington University. In 1987 he was a Senior Executive Fellow at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government. He served in President Carter’s Administration as Congressional Liaison at the Small Business Administration. In his spare time, David is a part owner of the Florida Marlins AAA baseball affiliate the Albuquerque Isotopes.
As a partner in the government relations firm of Moss McGee Bradley and Colbert, David is intimately involved with the legislative affairs of federal programs totaling almost thirteen billion dollars and he is a frequent witness before the Congress.
David Bradley continues to demonstrate an unusual ability to make issues affecting the poor of interest to both political parties. This was clearly demonstrated in 1995 and 1996 when the House Republican Contract with America agenda called for the elimination of funding for the CSBG. David was able to turn that challenge into an opportunity to fully discuss the community action network. The result: Congress in 1996 gave the largest domestic increase in funding, some 100 million dollars to CSBG, a program that in 1995 was slated for elimination.
Although David has been widely praised by leaders of both political parties, perhaps Sargent Shriver, the first leader in the War on Poverty said it best, “No one has done more to keep the War on Poverty alive and fresh in the minds of individuals.”
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Tuesday 7:00-8:15am
PAL Breakfast Open to Everyone - New Log Dining Room
PAL = Power Action Leadership. Grassroots organizing is the most powerful way for community members to work together to help effectively shape policies that will better the lives of low-income Minnesotans. PALs are people who work for any of our 27 community action agencies, individual who receive their services or community members who believe that we can eliminate poverty in the state of MN and want to do their part. The PAL Breakfast will have some structured activities, but above all, this is an opportunity to a get to know current and future PAL Team members!
Tuesday 8:30-10:00am
Legislative General Session Joe Pederson, Chair MinnCAP Legislative Committee – Rooms 1 & 2
Minnesota Community Action Partnership’s Legislative Agenda for 2007, including an open forum to recommend additional legislative priorities.
Tuesday 10:30am-12:00pm
Secretary of State Candidates’ Forum Moderated by Karen Christofferson, League of Women Voters – Rooms 1 & 2
We are honored to host candidates Mark Ritchie (DFL) and Joel Spoonheim (IP) in an exclusive candidates’ forum of the Minnesota Secretary of State race. (As of printing time for the conference program, incumbent Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer has not responded to MinnCAP’s invitation to participate in this forum.)
Concurrent Sessions - Tuesday 1:00-2:15pm
Covering All Families - Eligibility Screening Tool Ryan Johnson and Elaine Cunningham, Children’s Defense Fund - Room 1
Covering All Families is a website (www.coveringallfamilies.org) and eligibility screening tool designed to help Minnesota families understand if they are eligible for public programs such as health care coverage, child care assistance, school meals, food support (stamps), energy assistance, and federal and state income tax credits. Through the website, families can learn if they qualify for programs, print out applications and get county-specific information about how and where to apply. During this workshop, we will explore the website and discuss ways to increase enrollment in public programs and strengthen families.
Trainer: Elaine Cunningham, Outreach Director. Elaine has spent more than 20 years in the community and public relations fields focusing primarily on health care. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota and has worked for the University of Minnesota Medical School, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and the United Way of Minneapolis Area.
Trainer: Ryan Johnson, Outreach Specialist. Ryan, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, oversaw funding for AmeriCorps projects that addressed critical needs in communities across the state at ServeMinnesota. The projects ranged from tutoring and mentoring projects in schools and Head Start programs to Habitat for Humanity building projects and community technology centers addressing the digital divide.
Stress – Get Rid of It Francie Mathes, OEO - Room 2
Francie has given this popular workshop at previous conferences and it was a hit. She will assist you to rid yourself of stress.
Trainer: Francie Mathes is a Trainer and Field Rep Extraordinaire!! for Minnesota Department of Human Services Office of Economic Opportunity.
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New Connections for Community Action with Food Support Tikki Brown, OEO - Room 3
Tikki will review what’s new with food support participation and show a new video for local use by CAAs.
Trainer: Tikki Brown is the MN Food Support Coordinator at Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Class, Income & Poverty By Jim Carrier, Western Community Action - Rooms 4 & 5
Although largely unrecognized, the American class system is one of the most rigid in the world. The American Class system is the primary factor determining in income and poverty. The idea that Americans can rise in class is a myth. The underclass and working class are the fastest growing groups in America and the middle class is a minority and shrinking rapidly. This workshop explores the American class system and how it affects the work of Community Actions Agencies.
Trainer: Jerry Carrier the Executive Director of Western Community Action with over 30 years in nonprofit and public administration. He is a nationally recognized instructor in diversity, American culture, class, community development and poverty issues. He has taught these subjects nationally at the Neighborworks Training Institutes, for the Federal Reserve Bank, the National Credit Union Administration, and for city and county governments, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, the Minnesota Association of School Board Members, law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, schools, financial institutions, hospitals, colleges, and universities. Carrier is adjunct faculty at Southern New Hampshire University in the Community Development Masters Degree Program.
Concurrent Sessions - Tuesday 2:30-3:45pm
DHS Homeless Programs Review Janel Bush, Duane Elg, and Jane Lawrenz of MN DHS, Moderated by Pat Leary, OEO - Room 1
Anti-poverty programs moved to DHS three years ago. New linkages and relationships have formed that benefit our state. Hear a panel discuss important information that will assist you in your work with people who are homeless.
Trainers: Janel Bush, Duane Elg, Jane Lawrenz and Pat Leary are all staff at Minnesota Department of Human Services and work with homeless programs.
None of Our Business: A Comprehensive Approach to the Impact of Domestic Violence on the Workplace Debra Schroeder, Anna Marie’s Alliance and Central MN Task Force on Battered Women - Room 2
Violence at home spreads to all corners of society, including the workplace. Domestic abuse carries a multi-billion dollar price tag for businesses through lowered production, higher healthcare costs, and damages. None of Our Business uses video vignettes and discussion to demonstrate how family and domestic violence issues affect all levels of workplaces. It informs us that it is our business to understand and take appropriate action to help employees in domestic violence situations. None of Our Business workshops have been held throughout Minnesota since its release to domestic abuse programs in 2005.
Trainer: Ms. Debra Schroeder has spent over twenty years working in the non-profit sector. Her current position with Anna Marie’s Alliance as their Coordinator of Community Education provides the opportunity to increase awareness about the effects of domestic abuse on society. She helps audiences develop action steps to decrease relationship violence and assist victims and survivors. Debra holds a BS degree from St. Cloud State University in Speech Communications-- Interdepartmental Studies.
eVISIONS Steve Long and Arnie Anderson, MinnCAP - Room 3
Hear about the new eVisions client tracking and reporting system. Where are we at? Where are we going? The future visions of this new tracking and reporting system.
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Trainer: Steve Long is the Statewide Systems Administrator for the Visions Project, formerly the Data Processing Department Director for Lakes and Pines CAC, Inc.
Trainer: Arnie Anderson is the Executive Director of Minnesota Community Action Partnership, formerly with OEO.
Tapping into the College as a Community Asset By Lydia Bohn & Jim Scheibel, CA Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties - Rooms 4 & 5
A great resource for Community Action Agencies is our institutions of higher education. The workshop will provide tools for forming and enhancing partnerships with community colleges, colleges and universities. A student who is Community Action staff will describe her plan for more student involvement in the agency, with an emphasis on service learning. Service learning is a method that enriches learning by engaging students in meaningful volunteer work in their community. The workshop will include how to get started, partnership activities, and creating long-term success.
Trainer: Lydia Bohn works to recruit college students to volunteer for Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties. Her main focus is creating partnerships with local colleges and universities through their Service Learning center. Lydia began working for Community Action last November and attends college as an undergrad at Hamline University.
Trainer: Jim Scheibel is Executive Director of the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties, which uses campus partnerships as one means of fulfilling its mission to mobilize resources to address poverty. As a leader of nonprofits, he has brought higher education and community groups together to accomplish their goals. During the Clinton administration, Mr. Scheibel was Vice President of the Corporation for National Service, directing Ameri-Corps VISTA and the Senior Corps. As an elected official, serving as Mayor and Councilmember of St. Paul, he promoted service and volunteerism. He is co-author of The Promises of Partnership, a guide to community-university partnerships.
Tuesday 6:30pm
PAL Fund Live Auction Auctioneer, Bill Fitzsimmons - Rooms 1, 2, & 3
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Concurrent Sessions - Wednesday 8:30-9:45am
FAIM Express Kate Ouverson, CarolBoyer and Steve Nagle, WCMCA, and Jan Backlin, ACCAP - Room 1
Stay on track and don’t get derailed with FAIM.
Trainer: Kate Ouverson, Self-Sufficiency Director, West Central Minnesota Communities Action. Kate Ouverson has worked in Community Action for eighteen years and is currently the Self-Sufficiency Director for West Central Minnesota Communities Action. Kate is responsible for managing Foreclosure Prevention, Transitional Housing, Emergency Shelter Grant, JumpStart Car, FAIM, FEMA and overseeing the general operations of the VITA sites for tax preparation. In addition, she is a member of the FAIM State-Wide Coordination Team, teaches Financial Literacy Classes and is certified by Neighborworks to teach Home Buyer Education. Kate is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Morris with an education major. She is a member of the Board of Directors for a museum and a child care center and volunteers time in a therapeutic riding program for children and adults with traumatic brain injuries.
Trainer: Jan Backlin, Home Ownership Programs Director and Human Resource Director, Anoka County Community Action Program. Developed and managed the Home Ownership Programs for ACCAP since 1992. These programs cover Home Buyer Educational Workshops (Home Stretch Curriculum), One-To-One Financial Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention counseling, Reverse Mortgage Counseling, Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (Mn IDA’s) (since 1999 beginning with FAIM Pilot), “Don’t Borrow Trouble Campaign” and Down Payment Assistance in Anoka County. Responsible for Grant writing, grant monitoring, budget development and direct supervision of staff. Responsible for managing and monitoring the ongoing HUD Approval as a Comprehensive Housing Counseling Agency. Also, responsible for the management of Human Resources for ACCAP since 1994. Currently serves on the Home Ownership Center Advisory Council, serves on the FAIM Advisory Council and FAIM Coordinators group, and serves as Treasurer of the Minnesota Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Association. Background also includes eighteen years of banking experience including lending.
Trainer: Stephen Nagle, Executive Director, West Central Minnesota Communities Action. Steve Nagle is Executive Director of West Central Minnesota Communities Action in Elbow Lake MN. WCMCA is a five county human services non-profit agency with the mission of enabling low-income people to escape poverty. The agency operates a number of projects including, Head Start, Energy assistance, home rehabilitation, and affordable housing initiatives. Nagle is a 1997 recipient of the Minnesota Housing and Finance Agency Steve Chadwick award for Leadership in affordable housing. Nagle has been active in housing issues throughout the region and has served on the founding board of two Habitat for Humanity Chapters. Nagle is a graduate of Mankato State University and Moorhead State University, Masters in Public and Human Service Administration.
Trainer: Carol Boyer, Fiscal Director, West Central Minnesota Communities Action. Carol has been employed in the world of Community Action for a total of twenty four years, working first for Tri-County Action Program in St. Cloud and then in her current employment with West Central Minnesota Communities Action in Elbow Lake. Carol is a graduate of Alexandria Technical College with an AAS Degree in Accounting and prior to that from St. Cloud Technical College with an emphasis on electronic data processing. Carol has a strong belief in working to promote the Community Action world through utilizing her skills in the area of management, finance and computers. Carol’s volunteer experience has included Group WorkCamps, PAL Team, serving on the Community Center Committee for the city of Melrose and preparing simplified tax returns for students.
Retirement 101 Pat McFarland, ACCAP - Room 2
If the thought of retirement puts you in a catatonic state, this workshop is for you. While designed specifically for ACCAP employees, 95% of the information is applicable to everyone. If you’re young enough and save regularly, I can make you a millionaire in retirement. But even if you are middle aged, it is not too late to start a retirement program.
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Trainer: Patrick McFarland, a former CIA deep cover agent until he was “outed” by the Vice President, holds the world speed record for vesba motorbikes. He was a member of the Croatian National Bocce Ball Team which won a bronze medal in the 1974 Olympics. He currently is Executive Director of ACCAP.
Do’s & Don’ts of Voting for 501(c)3s Jo Ann Tesar, CA Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties, and Nancy Pomplun, MinnCAP - Room 3
Just over 40 days until November 7, the General Election. What can my agency do to promote voting among staff and program participants? Is it legal for me to tell people to vote? This is an interactive workshop that will make the muddy waters of 501(c)3 restrictions into
Trainer: Jo Ann Tesar is the Senior Associate of Civic and Community Engagement with Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties. Her work includes training, education, advocacy, and mobilization on issues that directly impact the participants of Community Action programs. Tesar also coordinates The Community Voting Project, a community-based collaborative network of individuals and non-profit organizations aiming to engage low-income and under-represented communities in the electoral process, increase voter turnout in these communities, and create an atmosphere that encourages and supports ongoing citizen involvement and leadership. Tesar has worked in the human services profession for 13 years and is currently a student at Metropolitan State University. Her work experience includes being a Family Support Specialist with Head Start and a Chemical Dependency Specialist. Tesar has a wealth of personal experiences, having been a homeless, single mother of three sons; she has become self-reliant and a homeowner with the help of numerous programs including Community Action. She also serves on the board of West Side Citizens Organization, a neighborhood-based organization on the west side of St. Paul, MN. Trainer: Nancy Pomplun is the Community Network Coordinator for Minnesota Community Action Partnership (MinnCAP).
Challenge of Non-Profit Talent Shortage: Where Have All the Good Employees Gone? Phil Schechter, SPHR, Schechter & Associates - Rooms 4 & 5
This workshop focuses on the array of challenges organizations are facing with respect to finding, keeping, and motivating good employees. This lively presentation includes:
� An overview of current and emerging factors that are impacting employment relationships; � Proactive actions organizations can take to attract and assess talent; � 19 steps your organization can take to motivate and retain competent employees; � Eight questions every organization needs to ask in order to develop a comprehensive business
and human resource strategic plan.
Trainer: Phil Schechter is the former director of the MBA in Human Resource Management Program at the University of St. Thomas. He has also been on the faculty of the Chicago Medical School - University of Health Sciences and Inver Hills Community College. His corporate experience includes human resource and training and development management positions at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Chicago’s Cook County Medical Center, Johnson & Johnson, and Pa Cal Steel. He has served on the advisor boards of Twin Cities Vocational Services, Phillips Neighborhood Association, Health Employers, Inc., Twin Cities Labor management Association, Twin Cities Human Resource Association and St Mary’s University.
He has extensive consulting and teaching experience in Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. Phil has also worked with government agencies, businesses and universities in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Phil is currently a partner in Schechter & Associates, Inc. human resource consulting firm.
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Concurrent Sessions - Wednesday 10:15-11:30am
Financial Education = Economic Empowerment Jan Backlin, ACCAP and Kate Ouverson, WCMCA - Room 1
How Financial Education can work for you.
Trainer: Kate Ouverson has worked in Community Action for eighteen years and is currently the Self-Sufficiency Director for West Central Minnesota Communities Action.
Trainer: Jan Backlin has developed and managed the Home Ownership Programs for ACCAP since 1992.
How to get next year’s money: CA & ROMA Francie Mathes and Connie Greer, OEO - Room 2
OEO Staff will address current issues. A ROMA update will be a part of the presentation. There will be time Q & A!!
Trainer: Francie Mathes and Connie Greer work at Minnesota Department of Human Services Office of Economic Opportunity.
Mobilizing New Americans and English Language Learners (ELL) TBA - Room 3
Giving Employees the RIGHT Start Karen Schechter, SPHR, Schechter & Associates - Rooms 4 & 5
More than one out of three employees in the U.S. will quit his/her job this year. One reason people change jobs is because they never feel welcome or a part of the organization they join. A thoughtful new-employee orientation program can reduce turnover and save an organization thousands of dollars in hiring and training costs. Better oriented and trained employees mean better service for your customers. This workshop will help you:
� Evaluate your current orientation program � Develop a plan that gives your new hires a perspective on community action as well as the job’s
nuts-and bolts � Open channels of positive communication � Orient limited-English-speaking employees more effectively � Provide for evaluation and follow-up
You will leave this session with checklists and resources to revitalize your orientation activities!
Trainer: Karen Schechter’s human resource management experience comes from manufacturing, health care, financial services, and social service sectors. She has taught courses in supervision, human resource management, and labor relations in undergraduate and graduate school settings. Her education includes Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Business Administration. She is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. Karen is currently a partner in Schechter & Associates, Inc. human resource consulting firm and on the faculty of the University of Phoenix and St. Mary’s University.
Wednesday 11:30am
Closing Luncheon and Raffle Ruby’s Dining Room
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Thank you to the Conference Planning Committee:
Cherie Hanson, ACCAP, Chair Connie Greer, OEO
Carol Boyer, WCMCA Pam Johnson, MinnCAP
Char Christensen, TRI-CAP Francie Mathes, OEO
Catherine Fair, CAP of Ramsey & Wash. Counties Nancy Pomplun, MinnCAP
Ken Fredette, Lakes and Prairies CAP Jo Ann Tesar, CAP of Ramsey & Wash. Counties
